TOULON — Appointed Stark County Judge Tom Keith of Wyoming held onto that seat for a likely full six-year-term Tuesday by holding off challenges from attorneys Bruce P. Fehrenbacher of rural Bradford and Robert H. Rennick of Toulon.

“I don’t know how to express myself,” Keith said. “I’m thrilled that people put their trust in me. I’m honored to serve.”

“I think that everybody ran a good campaign,” said Keith, 62.

Fehrenbacher agreed, saying that he had hoped to do better but had understood that it was hard to predict the results of a three-way primary with complicated issues involving both judicial qualifications and residency issues.

“The vote is in, and I would like to congratulate Judge Keith,” Fehrenbacher said.

Rennick expressed similar sentiments while also thanking his supporters

There are no Democratic candidates, so Keith most likely will be elected without opposition in November. The judge’s seat is part of the 10th Judicial District, which also includes Marshall, Peoria, Putnam and Tazewell counties.

Gary L. Smith can be reached at (800) 516-0389 or glsmith@mtco.com. Read his Northern Circuit blog at pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter4 @Glsmithx.